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RED CAP 



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RED CAP 



A Play for Children in Two Acts 



By 
MARY WILLARD KEYES 



PLEASE NOTICE 

All amateur clubs or others who give stage presentations of this 
play must pay the author 1^5.00 royalty for each performance. Ad- 
dress on this subject Mary Willard Keyes, Wilton, Hillsboro 
Co., N. H. Professional rates on application. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
1916 






RED CAP 



CHARACTERS 

Alicia, a girl of fourtee7t. 

Nancy, about the same age. 

Father Mountain. 

Lycinthia, a water nymph. 

Farael, guardian of the birds. 

Dorian, guardian of the little wild beasts* 

Dryad of the Beech. 

Dryad of the White Birch. 

Dryad of the Pine. 

Mirabel \ n /• - • 

Briar Rose I flower fairies. 

Fungus Dod ) , 
Fungus Tod Y^''''' 
Fire Sprite. 
Breeze. 

More dryads, elves and fairies can be introduced if desired ; or, 
by making slight alterations, the play can be given with only one 
of each. Some of the parts can be taken by either boys or girls. 




Copyright, 1916, by Mary Willard Keyes 

As author and proprietor y . <(ar/l 

All rights reserved. 
©01.0 4 3 

M.4y -4 1916 




COSTUMES 

Alicia. Blouse and skirt. 

Nancy. Something that is too dressy to be suitable for moun- 
tain wear. 

Father Mountain. Ample gown and head covering of gray 

Lycinthia. Clinging draperies of pale green and white. Hair 
unbound. 

Dryads. Scant, sleeveless gowns of shades resembUng the 
color of the bark on their several trees. Hair loosely tied or 
dressed in c assic style with fillets. Each should wear a twig or 
branch from her own tree. Sandals. 

Fairies. Short gowns of leaf green or white; small white 
wings ; flower caps of pink ; pink sandals, wands. 

Elves. "Green jacket, red cap, and white owl's feather." 
Feinted shoes. 

Dorian. If this part is taken by a boy he may wear shirt and 
knickerbockers, and wide sash, all of brown ; if by a girl a 
tabard of burlap reaching to knees. A cape, sandals laced' to 
knees, long slender staff tipped with pine cone. Cap 

Farael. Similar costume of bluebird blue or any colors that 
suggest birds. OuiU in cap. Staff tipped with quills as an arrow 
IS feathered. ^ 

Breeze If a boy, shirt, knickerbockers and full cape; if a 
girl, tabard and cape. White and red would be effective coloring 
Fire Sprite. Long orange slip with flowing thin white 
draperies, long and full enough to be flung high and wide At- 
tach draperies to httle fingers by tapes so they can be extended 
hke wings. 

DANCE OF DRYADS AND BREEZE 

.1.^^"'^^^^?'^ motions of the trees in a high wind and try to imitate 
hem. The Dryad of the White Birch, for instance, might extend 
both arms to the right at shoulder height, droop head to right, and 
droppmg her fingers keep them in rapid motion to simulate the 
quivering of birch leaves at the same time swaying slightly from 
the waist The Dryad of the Beech might make motions from the 
wrists, while the Pine could sway her arms. Whichever one 
Breeze is nearest at any given moment should be the most active. 
Breeze should at times be very gentle and by fits very boisterous, 
especially with the Fire Sprite. t^^^wus, 



AFFECTION ATELT DEDICATED 

to the members of the original cast : Doris, Edith, 
Almus, Marion, Leonard, Howard, Florence, Grace, 
Adele, Ruth, Helen, Sydney, Charles, Emily and Joan 



PLEASE READ CAREFULLY 

The acting rights of this play are reserved by the author to whom ap- 
plication for its use should be addressed. Performance is strictly for- 
bidden unless her express consent has first been obtained, and attention 
is called to the penalties provided by law for any infringements of her 
rights, as follows : 

"Sec. 4966: — Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic or 
musical composition for which copyright has been obtained, without the consent of the 
proprietor of said dramatic or musical composition, or his heirs and assigns, shall be 
liable for damages therefor, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not 
less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent per- 
formance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and 
representation be wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a mis- 
demeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year."— 
U. S. Revised Statutes, Title 60, Chap. 5 . 

Amateurs may obtain permission to produce it privately on payment in 
advance of a fee of five dollars (^5.00). Such payments should be made 
and all correspondence addressed to Mary Willard Keyes, Wilton, 
Hillsboro Co., N. H. 



Red Cap 



ACT I 

SCENE. — The scene is a small clearing on a mountainside. 
If possible there should be a white birch or a beech tree con- 
spicuous at the rear. There is a spring at right ce7itre. 
This can be made by sinking a pailful of ivater in the 
ground^ and arranging plants around the edge. There is a 
bird^s nest on a branch of a tree to the left. At left front 
is a small stool 7nade in sembla?ice of a toadstool and driven 
into the grou?id. At left rear is a baftk or rock large enough 
to lie on. The music for the song near the end of the play 
is found in the '^ St. Ale ho las Song Book,^' mider the title ^ 
* * Little Maid Margery, ' ' page jo. For production ijidoors, 
branches and evergreefis should be used, or a set of sylvan 
scenery. Red and yellow electric lights give the effect of a 
camp-fire. Caution. — It is not possible to use too much care 
in regard to the fire, 

(Fungus Dod seated on giant toadstool, a row of small toad- 
stools before him. He chafits singsong, touchi?ig each 
toadstool with little finger of left hand. Lycinthia asleep 
near spring. ) 

Fungus Dod. 

Spring from mud, 

And spring from mould ; 

Pale and rose 

And tawny gold ; 

Dainty flutings underneath, 

Scatter spore-dust in a wreath ; 

Best-made parts are out of sight ; 

Spring in thousands in a night. 



6 RED CAP 

Enter Fungus Tod. 
Fungus Tod. 

I've scattered only forty thousand more 
Since yesterday. We need a three days* rain. 

Lycinthia {waking). 

Did you say rain, my little brother ? 

Elves (bobbing before her'). Greetings ! 

Fungus Tod. 

Dear lady water nymph, I said we need 

A soaking. But the spirits of the clouds 

Have flown so high along the sun's hot rays 

That I've not seen a single one on earth 

For these three weeks. No ! not since June came in. 

Lycinthia. 

Since June came in ? Why, then, elf, this must be, 
Or else to-morrow, our Midsummer Day. 

Fungus Tod. 

Midsummer Day it is. 

Elves {capering and turfiing somersaults). Hooray ! Hoo- 
ray ! 

LyCINTHIA. 

There's magic in the very air to-day, 

And soon the spirit of the mountain old 

Will visit us, beloved guardian ; 

And my companions, fairies, dryads, nymphs 

Will gather here, even as oft of old. 

Four times a year our council meeting comes ; 

Midsummer Day, mid winter, spring and fall 

When Grandsire Sun crosses the equinox. 

Enter Dorian, unperceivedy at rear. 

Ah ! well I love December. Then my streams 

Flow full, and chant sonorous symphonies 

Muffled to any ears but water nymphs'. 

And then I dance i' the moonlight on the snow, {Dances^ 

And wear a gown jewelled with patterned frost, 

And shake the spangling icicles, and laugh, 

For merry is December on the mountain. 



RED CAP *l 

Dorian {coming forward). 

Merry it is, but summer is more safe, 

Lycinthia. 

Yes, for your little beasts leave then no track 
When to my spring they come. 

Dorian. You are their friend. 

You never let it freeze. 

Lycinthia. Their little paws 

Make dainty characters upon the snow 
And hither all tracks lead. Winter is fair. 
But many of my friends are sleeping then — 
And I do love my friends. Lo ! here come two ! 

Enter the flower fairies, Mirabel and Briar Rose. 

Welcome, dear fairies ! 

{They trip up to her and she puts an arm around each.) 

Fairies. Hail ! beloved nymph ! 

Lycinthia. 

How does the laurel bloom, and the wild rose ? 

Mirabel. 

Pale in the shade, but rosy in the sun 
And very full and free my laurel blooms. 

Briar Rose. 

The fragrance lives in leaf and petal still 
But all my plants are clamoring for rain. 

Lycinthia. 

Whatever I can spare from spring and brook 
You and your friends shall have. 

Fairies. They give you thanks. 

{A crashing in the branches. Farael swings down from 
a branchy goes toward Dorian and assufnes threatetiing 
attitude.') 

Farael. 

Your beasts have been marauding everywhere 
And plundering nests of nestlings and of eggs. 



RED CAP 

Dorian. 

I'm sorry, Farael. They have to feed 
But yet I wish they did not need to hunt. 
Truly, I'm sorry 

Farael. 

What will you do beside being sorry, then ? 
That is the point. What are you going to do ? 

Dorian. 

As hitherto, I'll drive them from the nests ; 

I'll show them forage of another sort ; 

I'll punish them — admonish them, but still 

Farael. 

But still the thefts and murders will go on 
You think 

Dorian. 

Which of my creatures harms the most? 

Farael. 

Weasels and snakes are veritable pests 

But squirrels are the worst. There' re more of them. 

Dorian. 

I know. But just remember 'twas not I 
That gave their natures to them. 

Farael {taking from his cap a nesf). 

Look you here. 
Last night a mother bird nestled in peace 
Over her four blue eggs, the second brood. 
The first had hatched, but 'fore they flew away 
Some crafty brute of yours had feasted there. 
Then patiently she wove another nest, 
Again she brooded over precious eggs. 
But e'er they chipped the shell the birdlings four 
Were found by snake or weasel. That's but one 
Out of a thousand cases. Woe is me ! 

Dorian (taking nest). 

Poor mother robin ! True as I'm a king 
I would my subjects made not war on yours. 
But tell me, Farael, how can you be sure 
*Twas not a hawk or jay that robbed this nest? 



RED CAP 

Farael. 

I've seen no hawk on the mountain. For a week 
They've kept away. Squirrels are here in scores. 

Dorian. 

And let me tell you this. Your birds of prey 
Live on my baby squirrels and field mice. 
Let's call it quits. 

Farael. No ! for the balance swings 
Too heavily on my side, loaded with wrongs. 
Each year my birds grow less 

Dorian. Even so my beasts. 

Farael. 

And some there were that visited of old 
That never seek my kingdom nowadays ; 
So much less melody, so much less joy, 
So much less beauty on the mountainside. 
There's not a bird that flies within my realm 
So loathsome as a snake. 

Dorian. Poor unloved snakes ! 

'Tis not their fault they're made to glide and coil, 
And have no pretty feathers, nor soft fur. 
'Tis not my snakes that kill your birds by scores : 
It's men, and cats harbored by men, that steal 
Thousands of nestlings, hundreds of parent birds; 
And cats do not beneath my sceptre come. 
Watch you your owls that prowl i' the dark, and rob, 
Your butcher birds and eagles, hawks and jays, 
And keep them from my litde hungry beasts. 
Teach all your song birds how to build their nests 
Like orioles and tanagers. Should a snake 
Glide piously away from tempting feasts 
That meet him in the grass ? Will famished fox 
Sniff and pass by the little home i' the bush ? 
Go to ! You shall not slander my dear beasts. 
When you can tell me that your birds have learned 
To live on seeds alone, and never prey 
On winged insect, fish, or furry mouse. 
Then will I prison all my wild, shy things 
And fatten them on grain. Till that time come 
I beg you cease to scold. 



10 RED CAP 

(Farael starts to strike Dorian with staff. Doriai!J guards 
himself. Fairies Mirabel and Briar Rose interpose 
their wands and elves Fungus Dod and Fungus Tod 
seize antagonists by their capes.) 

Enter Father Mountain. 

Father Mountain. My children, cease ! 

{They stop instantly arid kneel.') 

We'll have no brawling on Midsummer Day, 
Nor any day o' the year. I scarce recall 
A spectacle like this since men arrived 
And moose went northward to the wilderness 
Battling no longer on our mountainside. 
What was the cause ? 

Farael. Dear Father, 'twas my fault; 

And now my wrath has given place to shame 
And I deserve no less than banishment 
From our midsummer council, since I've spoiled 
The happiness of all with my complaints. 

Dorian. No, Father, pray you, do not banish him, 
For then our happiness were spoiled indeed. 
His heart is very sore for that his birds 
Do dwindle in their numbers year by year. 
And finding a mother robin only now 
The second time this year bereaved of young 
He blamed my squirrels, and for aught I know 
The little rascals red deserved the blame. 

Enter quietly the Three Dryads. 

If Mistress Beech would teach her twigs to bear 
Nuts in the spring each year, then would the nests 
Be safer. 

Dryad of Beech. 

Would I had such power, indeed ! 

Father Mountain. 

Tell me now, Farael, in the days of old 
Before men came, had you more subjects then ? 

Farael. 

Yea, many, many more, your worship knows. 



RED CAP II 

Father Mountain. 

The little beasts, perhaps, had other food ? 

Farael. 

The little beasts preyed then, as now, tho' more, 
For they, too, have diminished. 

Father Mountain. Is it fair 

For you to quarrel at this latter day 
For what has been their nature since all time ? 

Farael. 

Nay, sire, it was ill done. 

Father Mountain. Then join your hands. 

{They clasp hands.) 

Forbear recrimination for the wrongs 

Unsanctioned wrought in one another's realms, 

And 'gainst your common enemies make league. 

Now fairies, elves, and nymphs, and dryads all, 

We'll have our council by the light o' the moon 

Since Luna is full-orbed to-night. To-day 

Busy yourselves along the paths of men. 

Exert your charm. Reveal your loveliness. 

And make them feel the magic of the woods. 

Beauty and love our only weapons be. 

For when they love enough they'll cherish too. 

Still, if a dull and wanton soul come nigh 

Grasping our treasures but to cast away. 

Then, children, hide your wealth, confound his steps, 

Disgust and weary him. So he the less 

Shall feel desire to venture here again. 

But if by chance a kindred spirit come 

Among you, make your welcome warm, and give 

The freedom of the mountain. On this day 

You may unseal his eyes, and evermore 

He more than mortal vision shall retain. 

In three days rain will come and drench the soil, 

So be of cheer. All's well. Give notice round 

To all your comrades of the council hour. 

Here by the spring. Till evening then, adieu ! 

All. 

Hail, sire, and farewell ! We will obey. 



12 RED CAP 

(Father Mountain goes out, followed by Dorian and, 
Farael, their arms over each other' s shoulder s, and the 
two elves tnimicking them. Lycinthia gives water into the 
hands of the Fairies, who sprinkle it around.) 

Enter Breeze, who drifts languidly across the stage ^ causing 
the Dryads to sway their arms and bodies. 

Dryad of Beech. 

Dear brother Breeze, stay with us for a while. 

Breeze. 

I may not now, but soon will pass again 

And bring you coolness from the upper air. \Extt, 

Dryad of Beech. 

I wish some mortal child would come this way. 

Dryad of White Birch. 
I fear them, I. 

Dryad of Pine. 
Why so? 

Dryad of White Birch. They strip my bark. 

Dryad of Pine. 
Shameful ! 

Dryad of Beech. 

And you the fairest of us all. 

Mirabel. 

I dread them, too, for thoughtlessly they tear 
My fragile blossoms with their greedy hands, 
Or pluck up rarest orchids by the roots 
So leaving none to gladden us again. 

Briar Rose. 

Not seldom, too, do they so little prize 

The flowers they have picked they cast them down 

And let them wilt in the sun. 

Dryad of White Birch. 

I've seen it done. 

Dryad of Beech. 

But yet not all will wantonly destroy. 
I've seen a child 



RED CAP 13 

Enter the Elves in haste* 

Fungus Dod. I've seen a child. 

Fungus Tod. A girl ! 

She's coming to the spring to get a drink. 

Dryad of Birch. 
Which sort is she ? 

Fungus Dod. You'll see, for here she comes. 

Enter Nancy, running and gasping. Throws down a heap 
of flowers and flings herself on the ground^ tossing her 
hat aside. She neither hears nor sees the others. 

Nancy. That nasty little snake and that horrid bee! I 
perfectly loathe snakes and bees and I wish I'd killed them, but 
the snake wriggled away so fast I couldn't catch him. 

Enter Dorian and Farael from opposite sides. 

Farael. 

'Twas I, young miss, that helped him to escape. 

Dorian. 

You, Farael ? I thank you from my heart. 

Farael. 

Oh, after all, the birds and snakes are cousins. 
'Twas naught. 

Nancy. I thought there was a spring somewhere near here. 
Where can it be ? 

(She walks around trying to find it, hut Lycinthia stands 
always between her and it. One of the Elves trips 
Nancy up. All laugh silently.) 

Dryad of White Birch. 
Well done, my elf ! 

Dryad of Beech. 

'Twas nimbly done ! 

Dryad of Pine. 'Twas rare ! 

For such as she cannot too seldom come. 

(Nancy flnds the spring,) 



14 RED CAP 

Nancy. Oh, here is that old spring. What a little bit of 
water in it. {Drinks.') I wish Allie would hurry up. How 
that sting does burn I (Fungus Tod steals up aftd pulls a 
single hair.) Ow ! there's another bee ! I don't see him any- 
where, and it's stopped stinging, so I guess it was something 
else. I hate the woods in June. They're so full of creeping 
things and crawling things, and buzzing things and stinging 
things. (Fungus Dod pinches her leg.) Ow ! {Jumps up.) 
I said so ! {The Elves tickle her with grass from time to 
time.) Botheration ! I wish I had a chocolate sundae. What 
perfectly elegant birch bark ! (Dryad of White Birch clasps 
her hands to her breast i?i alarm.) While I'm waiting for 
Allie I'll just cut my initials on that. 

{She Jumps up, Fungus Tod trips her, Fairies catch her 
skirt with briars, Dorian places branch in her way, 
Dryad of White Birch kneels and clasps her tree. 
Nancy goes to further side of tree and pretends to be 
cutting her initials. The Dryads mourn, Elves and two 
Guardians shake their fists at Nancy.) 

Dryad of Beech. 

Dear sister, are you faint ? 

Dryad of White Birch. Only a little. 
She is not cutting deep. I do not bleed. 
I shall not suffer injury — only scars. 

Dryad of Pine. 

Alas ! how can the child disfigure so 

Your beautiful smooth bark ? And did you mark 

Another child comes soon ? 

Fungus Dod. She shall not come. 

I'll hinder her. Now for some pranks and fun ! 

(He capers off. Nancy comes forward, takes out an orange 
and sucks it, throws rind to one side. Dorian picks up 
her hat, examines the wing with which it is trii7imed, re- 
moves the wing and hands it to Farael and deposits hat 
among bushes.) 

Nancy. My ! how hot it is. Where on earth did I drop 
my hat? {She searches for it.) Well, if I've lost it, it will 
be perfectly rotten. I don't see the fun of going all alone up 
on a mountainside. I wish Allie would come. A-li-cia ! 



RED CAP 15 

Echo. Licia ! 

(They call back and forth five or six times.) 

Nancy Some echo ! 

Dryad of Beech. 

The child that I have seen here many times, 
The one I was about to tell you of, 
I think her name's Alicia. 

DpiTAD OF Pine. Is it so ? 

Is she like this one here ? 

Dryad of Birch. You soon can judge. 

I think that all of you have seen her, too. 

(Nancy spies bird's nest.) 

Dryad of White Birch. All on guard ! 

Nancy. Oh, I say ! There's a bird's nest with something 
in it. If they're eggs, I'd like to take one. AHcia said it was 
against the law, but who'd ever know ? I wonder if I can't shin 
that tree? (Dorian and Farael stand on opposite sides of 
tree. Nancy starts to climb. Dorian pushes her foot so that 
it slips off. She repeats the attempt, and persists until she 
seems about to succeed. Then Farael suddenly hoots like an 
owl, and she falls, hurting herself. Dorian, from a short 
distance, snarls like a fox. Nancy is very much frightened.) 
See here. I can't stand this. I'm going to get out. 

{As she rims off the Fairies bewilder her by crossing 
branches before and behind her. She goes from side to 
side and fifially disappears at R. Fungus Tod follows. 
Dryads, Fairies a?id Water Nymphs chant. ^ 

Fairies and Water Nymphs. 

Alas the day 

When mortal child 

Wilful and wild 

Our haunts defiled 
In dull, unloving, wanton way. 

Her eyes are sealed, 

She comes to jeer, 

She's ruled by fear, 

And greed is here. 
Nature and love are not revealed. 



l6 RED CAP 

\ 

(Breeze enters and flits across the scene. FAtRiES sway 
from the ankles. Dryads from the waist, j^ycinthia 
ripples her hair. This continues for threk minutes. 
Reenter Fungus Dod.) 

Fungus Dod. \ 

This is a child of quite another kind. \ 

I lured her from the path to Gambol Brook \ 

And straightway felt ashamed. She fell in love 
With Ferny Dell and lingered there. Indeed, 
I scarce could tempt her back into the way. ^ 

Dryad of White Birch. 

And are you sure she will not gash our bark ? 

Fungus Dod. 
I'll vouch for her. 

Farael. Nor rifle any nests ? 

Fungus Dod. 

That she will not. I've seen her here before 
And so have you, and if you find I'm wrong 
In what I think of her, why, take your wand 
And change my mushrooms into toadstools. Look ! 

Enter Alicia. She turns as if gazing off at view, 

Alicia. 

I think I never saw the mountainside 
So beautiful. I've never come in June 
When all the leaves and mosses were so green. 
This is the nicest birthday that I've had. 

Dryad of Pine. 

Her birthday ! We will make it full of joy 
If she 

Dryad of Beech. 

Oh, don't say "if." You need no "if." 
A happy, happy birthday, dear Alicia ! 

Alicia. 

This little pine with budded twigs like candles 
For all the world is like a Christmas tree. 

(^She sees nest,) 



RED CAP 17 

And here — upon my word — here is a present ! 

(Farael whistles, and Bird, from behind Alicia, cries, 
u Chick— chirr:') 

A nest ! Brave mother bird, don't be afraid. 
You mustn't think that I would hurt your babies. 

Mirabel. 

A happy, happy birthday, dear Alicia I 

All. 

A happy, happy birthday, dear Alicia ! 

Fungus Dod. 

Did I not tell you ? 

Mirabel. Sisters, did you note 

She speaks in verse like us ? 

Briar Rose. 

I noted it. She does not know she does 

But harmony is in her soul to-day ; 

She cannot help express the rhythm there. 

Alicia. 

1 feel as if I had a pair of wings. 
I wonder why it is ? Oh, lovely world ! 
Oh, dear old mountain ! Pretty Lady Birch, 
I want to talk to you. 

(She throws her arms around the trunk of the birch tree 
and lays her cheek to the bark. Dryad of White Birch 
gently puts her arms aroufid Alicia. ) 

Dryad of White Birch. I'm here, my child. 

Alicia. 

I think you are a princess, and I want 
To be your little maid-in-waiting, please. 

Dryad of White Birch. 

You are my little friend, and I am yours. 

Alicia {feeling where Nancy has cut, and going around). 
Oh, what is this ! Oh, dear ! Oh, Najicy / 
How could you carve your name on Lady Birch ! 
That's a shame, dear princess. 



l8 RED CAP 

{She looks around, picks up orange peel, places flowers in the 
spring.^ It's easy to see who's been here. This is where we 
agreed to have lunch, and for my part I'm getting hungry. I 
wonder where she is ? Nan-cy ! 

Echo. Cy ! 

(They repeat the calls at intervals while Alicia spreads a 
cloth, unpacks a few dishes, a?id decorates all with ferns. 
She may sing a camp-fire sofig. Briar Rose leads and 
coaxes her ge fitly to one side, then parts the ferns to dis- 
play flowers,) 

Alicia. Oh, how sweet ! One-flowered pyrola ! Like 
three little white stars. {She sf?iells them.) I believe I'll just 
not tell Nancy, for she would be sure to want to pick them, 
and then they'd wither long before we were home, like the 
others, and maybe there wouldn't be any next year. Nan-cy ! 

Nancy {from a distance). Hi, there ! I'm coming. 

Enter Fungus Tod, and turns somersault. Alicia gathers 
fuel. 

Fungus Tod. 

Such sport ! Such sport ! Ha, ha ! She's mad clear 

through. 
I led her to the hemlock tangle yonder 
And there she fumed, and puffed, and tore her clothes; 
And then in mischief 1 beguiled her steps 
Into the spongy ground. 

Fungus Dod. What rare delight ! 

{Aside.) Only I'd rather be Alicia's guide. 

Fungus Tod. 

But then I heard this maiden call to her, 
And Nancy, in her anger, could not hear. 
So I relented. 

Briar Rose. And so here she comes. 

Enter Nancy, disheveled. 

Nancy. My gracious, Alicia, you were awfully slow. What 
was the matter with you ? 



RED CAP 



»9 



Alicia. Nothing, Nancy. But I saw ever so many pretty 
things, especially a ledge covered with polypody, near the 
brook. I don't see why I never happened to find it before. 
I'll show it to you on the way down. Aren't you hungry? 

Nancy. You bet I am. (^She takes a piece of cake and eats 
it while Alicia is light i7ig fire and getting eggs ready to boil. 
Alicia sings the camp fire song, " Burn, Fire, Burn;' or ajiy 
appropriate song.) You're the greatest for saying poetry and 
singing. Do you know ? (^Name any popular song.) 

Alicia. No. What birds did you see ? 

Nancy. Only that one up there. I'm no bird fiend like 
you. 

Alicia. Or flowers? 

Nancy. Those in the spring. I don't know their names, 
but they're nothing special, I guess. I don't care about that 
sort of thing. 

Alicia. What are the things you do care about ? 

Nancy. Good shows — movies — parties. Give me some- 
thing doing. 

Alicia. I like those things once in a while, but I like other 
things, too. 

Nancy. I want to know I'm alive. 

Alicia. I should think the best way for a person to find out 
if he was alive or not would be to go off alone for a while in the 
country. If he stays in a whirl the whole time he can't tell 
whether he's alive himself or just being roused up by all that's 
going on around him. 

Mirabel. 

It's plain to see that you're alive, Alicia. 
Alive to Nature's beauty and its power. 

Briar Rose. 

She has some spirit, too. 

Dryad of Pine. She's not all dreams. 

Dorian. 

I like to see a tidy little maid. 

While t'other sits with empty hands and mind 

She builds a fire well. 

Mirabel. And let us hope 

That she'll be careful to extinguish it. 



20 RED CAP 

Lycinthia. 

Remember now what Father Mountain said. 
These were his words, "If kindred spirit come 
Among you, make your welcome warm, and give 
The freedom of the mountain. On this day 
You may unseal his eyes." Do you not think 
Alicia is a kindred soul to us ? 

All. 

Yes! Yes! She is 1 She is ! 

Briar Rose. We'll give to her 

The freedom of the mountain. 

Mirabel. We'll unseal 

Those gentle eyes of brown, and they shall see 
Oh ! they shall see — wonders ! 

Briar Rose. And evermore 

They more than mortal vision shall retain. 

Lycinthia. 

Let's to the great pool where witch hazels grow 
And call the others there, and make a plan. 

Dryad of Pine. 

We've not had such a chance, if I am right, 
Since my most aged giant was a seedling. 

Lycinthia. 

Three hundred years ago an Indian maid 
Came to the spring each day. We loved her well, 
And she loved us, for we unsealed her eyes, 
Soon as the sun rose one Midsummer Day. 

{They begin to pass out.") 
Mirabel. 

Quequisquitch was our little mortal sister. 
And I should like another one right well, 

Dorian. 
Come away ! 

Farael. Come away ! 

Fungus Dod and Tod. Come away ! 

Lycinthia, Fairies and Dryads. We come ! We come ! 

[Exeunt, 



RED CAP 21 

Nancy (who has been steadily eating). Well, I've had all 
I want. Let's go home. 

Alicia. Oh, Nancy ! When it's so beau 

Nancy. So bee-u-tiful, so heavenly, so wonderful I Trees, 
and trees and trees, and snakes and wasps and bugs ! 

Alicia. But you know papa won't come to meet us until 
five, and I think it's nicer up here where we can look off than 
down in the pasture, don't you ? 

Nancy (very much bored), I don't know that it makes 
much difference. 

Alicia. Let's carry the dishes to the brook to wash. 

Nancy. Have we got to wash them ? 

Alicia. I think I will, anyhow. 

Nancy. All right ! I'll come along. I might as well. 

(They pick up lunch baskets and inarch off, Nancy singing 
a popular song.) 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE.— 5^;?^^ as m Act I 

(FiKE.'^VRUKcomes forward sleepily. Enter Breeze. Fire 
Sprite dances, remai?iing iiearly in one spot, waving her 
draperies and leaping. The fire begins to spread along 
carefully prepared lines. Great caution must be used 
with real flame. It is better to use electricity as sug- 
gested at opening of Scene i. Fart of the time Breeze 
and Fire Sprite dance together, the former whirling the 
latter, and wavi?tg her draperies. After about three min- 
utes enter Father Mountain. He frowns.") 

Father Mountain. 

A three weeks' drought, — a careless child — a breeze, 
And all my subjects, even Lycinthia, 
Leaving their posts unguarded. Peril is here 
Of conflagration that no power could stop. 
This were indeed a sad Midsummer Day 
If all my fays and dryads lost their homes, 
And I a blackened, lonely ruin kept. 
( To Breeze.) Be off with you ! \Exit Breeze.) And 
Fire Sprite, subside. 

(Fire Sprite becomes quiet, and droops a little^ 

Yet I'll withhold my hand from further act 
And watch a while. Perhaps they will return. 

Enter Alicia, out of breath. She extinguishes fire. Fire 
Sprite sinks on the ground, drawing a gray veil over 
herself. Father Mountain smiles and goes out, 

Alicia. What a dreadful thing for me to do. I'm trem- 
bling all over. 

Enter Nancy. 

Nancy. What's the matter with you ? 

Alicia. The fire was beginning to spread. It might have 
caught the bushes and set the woods on fire. I thought of it 
just as I started back. 

22 



RED CAP 23 

Nancy. Was that what made you tear off all of a sudden 
as if the goblins were after you ? 

Alicia. Yes. 

Nancy. Well, I don't see that it had done much harm. 

Alicia.* No, it hadn't. But it might have very soon. I am 
so thankful. 

Nancy. Well, I won't tell on you. And of course no one 
could blame me, for I'm not used to camping. 

Alicia. Of course I shall tell papa. (Pause.) But I don't 
believe I shall ever again forget. 

(All the Spirits, except Father Mountain, encircle the stage.) 

Nancy (yawniiig). What on earth are we going to do for 
the next two hours ? r t 

Alicia {timidly). I have an idea. It's a sort of game 1 
made up that I play sometimes. 

Nancy. What's the game? You didn't bring a pack of 
cards in the basket, did you ? 

Alicia. It's not that kind of a game. Did you ever read 
that if you put ripe fern-seed in your shoes you become in- 
visible ? 

Nancy {laughing). That's a good one. 

Alicia. Let's get the fern-seed and play that we are 
invisible. 

(Spirits clap their hands softly, and the Elves caper.) 

Nancy. I didn't know ferns had any seed. That's only a 

fake, isn't it? , t„i , 

Alicia. No, indeed. They really do have seed. 1 11 show 
you. {Picks several ferns.) This is a brake and this is a 
lady fern. That's the seed. It's just ripe on this one. (Alicia 
takes off a shoe. Nancy watches her, smiling a little contemp- 
tuously, but presently follows suit. The Spirits whisper 
amofig themselves. Lycinthia speaks to each one, last of all to 
Fungus Tod. He creeps behind Alicia. Just as she reties 
her second shoe, having dropped fern-seed i?iside, Fungus Tod 
drops his little red cap on her head and hides. The Spirits 
withdraw a little. Alicia rises.) There ! Now I'm invis- 
ible. You must pretend you can't see me, Nancy. 

Nancy {with one shoe off, looks up, then frightened, 
Ju?nps to her feet; Alicia is invisible to her). Alicia, where 
are you ? 



24 RED CAP 

Alicia {standing close beside her). You said that splen- 
didly, Nancy. It couldn't have been more natural. 

Nancy. But I cafi't see you. Alicia ! Alicia ! Come back 
quick. {She runs about looking behind trees.) 

Alicia {aside, while dancing about), I never dreamed she 
could do it so well. {To Nancy.) Nancy ! Nancy ! Where 
art thou? Let's make believe a tired traveler is coming up the 
path. We'll help him with his load," and all of a sudden we'll 
set a cup of water before him. (Nancy, in a pa?tic, throws 
herself down and begi?is to cry. It is only gradually that 
Alicia realizes the crying and fright are genui?ie. She then 
ru7is up, and while leaning over Nancy the little cap falls onto 
the ground.) Nancy dear ! You aren't really crying, are you ? 

Nancy. I think it's very unkind of you to play me such a 
trick. 

Alicia. What do you mean? I'm right here. I've been 
right here all along. 

Nancy {holding her tight). If you're such a prig as you 
pretend to be about being truthful I shouldn't think you'd talk 
like that. 

Alicia. I don't understand. 

Nancy. No, nor /don't understand. 

Alicia. It can't be true, about being invisible. 

Nancy. Of course it can't. 

Alicia. Besides, 1 saw you the whole time. {She sees the 
little cap and picks it tip.) Now what in the world can that be ? 

Nancy {screaming). Oh, now you're doing it again. 
Please don't. 

(Alicia, a look of wofider dawjiing in her eyes, drops the 
cap.) 

Alicia. Can you see me now? 
Nancy. This is too uncanny. Yes, I do. 
Alicia. Please don't be frightened. Watch me. I think I 
shall disappear again. {Puts on cap.) Do you see me? 

Nancy {grabbing hold of her). Alicia ! I feel you, but I 
can't see you. Isn't this awful ! It makes me dizzy. Now 
you're here again. 

(Nancy sits like a statue, eyes starting and mouth open, while 
Alicia cofitifiues alternately putting on and off the cap. 
After half a dozen ti)nes Fungus Dod creeps behind 
Nancy and stands tip just as Alicia makes a motion to 
put cap on Nancy's head. He snatches it.) 



RED CAP 25 

Alicia. Now it's gone. Nancy ! There must be fairies 

here ! , r 1 

Nancy (humbly'). Maybe there are. It makes me feel so 
creepy, Alicia. I never believed in such things. I shall always 
feel different now. 

Remter all the Spirits. Fungus Dod reaches over and presses 
cap into Alicia's hand, then stands visible before her, one 
fijiger held up in warning, the other laid on his lips. She 
sees him and starts. Mirabel and Briar Rose approach 
and wave wands over Nancy. Alicia sees them also. 

Alicia. You aren't afraid, are you, dear Nancy? 
Nancy. No, but I feel so sleepy, Alicia. I think I'll take 
a nap. 

{Her head droops and eyes close. Dorian and Farael 
come forward, lift and carry her to a bank at left rear, 
where she sleeps with her head on her arm. Lycinthia 
comes forward and puts her hand on Alicia's shoulder.) 

Lycinthia. 

We are your friends, Alicia. Have no fear. 
For, ever since you were a tiny child 
And climbed here first, holding your father's hand, 
We've watched you lovingly. No harm could come 
To you upon the mountain. 

Alicia. All these years ! 

How wonderful ! Dear — fairy, and how kind. 

Lycinthia. 

I am a water nymph, and all the brooks 

And all the springs upon the mountainside 

Are mine, or else my sisters'. {They sit down.) 

You may come, 
And though you see me not, be very sure 
That you are ever welcome to my streams. 
Refresh yourself as often as you will 
From my cool fountains ; tread the mossy bank 
With pink-veined sorrel and with gold-thread strewn ; 
Make friends with trout and minnows, caddises 
Whose houses I have seen of masonry 
Jeweled with quartz and garnet; plunge knee-deep 



26 RED CAP 

Into my cooling pools, or where the stream 
Spreads fanwise over a broad, mossy rock 
Let your feet splash and play. In winter time 
Come back to know me in my snowy garb, 
But most of all, come often, dear Alicia. 

{She fills a leaf cup with water from spring.") 

Take from my hand this cup and drink the draught. 

Alicia (drinking). 

Oh, I will come, dear water nymph ! 

Lycinthia. These two 

Value your friendship. This is Farael 
Guardian of the birds. His brother here 
Is guardian of the little beasts. His name 
Is Dorian. 

Alicia (rising). 

Farael and Dorian. I love your birds 
And little furry beasts. I wish I knew 
Them better. 

Farael. So you shall. 

Dorian. Your eyes we touch 

And quicken them, though they were keen before. 

(Farael a^id Dorian touch her eyelids.) 

Now shall your eyes descry the shyest beasts 
And gaze on them, and never frighten them. 
Owls in the daytime you shall catch and hold, 
And find raccoons in hollow trees asleep ; 
Play with the foxes' young while mother fox 
Looks on without alarm ; touch porcupines 
Who will not drive their quills into your hand ; 
Track the wild weasels, feed from your own hand 
Rabbits, and members of the squirrel tribe. 
All this with one request I give to you ; 
Wear not their pretty pelts, but keep you warm 
With fleeces that their owners never miss. 
And for adornment 

Farael. Thai she little needs. 



RED CAP %^ 

Dorian. 

Choose what will cost no pain to living thing. 
Think you that you can promise ? 

Alicia. Yes, I do. 

Farael. 

I, too, can give you much, and in return 
I ask your help and loyalty, for I 
Sorely need friends. 

Alicia. Oh, let me be your friend 1 

Farael. 

A hundred years ago these forests rang 
Both night and morning with the songs of birds. 
By many fold their numbers greater were 
Than they are now. Their natural enemies 
Flourished as now, and war was waged as now 
'Twixt Dorian's subjects and my own, but yet 
From year to year their numbers scarcely changed. 
Then men came, swept the face of all this land, 
Destroyed our forest homes, brought hordes of cats 
And let them hunt unchecked, stealing by night 
Fledglings unnumbered in the nesting time. 
Now when my flocks fly south in autumn days 
I know that thousands never will return, 
Slaughtered by men for feathers and for food. 

Alicia. 

Ah ! what a shame ! Tell me what I can do. 

A little girl like me cannot do much, 

But all I can, I will. 
Farael. More than you think. 

The nests you find you faithfully can guard ; 

And you can tell your friends how we will help 

To free their crops of pests. They need us now 

As much as we need them, for only we 

Can really save the fruit and grain for them. 

Instead of tens we should have thousands here. 

But most of all, arouse in other hearts 

The love and thoughtfulness you feel yourself. 

Alicia {shaking her head). 

That isn't always easy, but I'll try. 



2$ RED CAP 

Farael. 

So shall you know the songs and cries of birds, 

And shall divine where nests are hidden close; 
By shape, and flight, and twinkling flash of wings 
You'll name the bird that passes ; and your lore 
Shall ever be as health and joy to you. 

Alicia. 

Oh, what a present ! This is better far 
Than any thing that I could buy or own. 
A thousand, thousand thanks, dear Farael. 

Lycinthia. 

Here are the dryads of the trees you love, 
Alicia. 

Alicia. There are truly dryads, then ! 

Dryad of Beech. 
I am the beech. 

Dryad of White Birch. 

And I the birch. 

Dryad of Pine. And I 

Am sister Pine. 

Dryad of Beech. Sleep in our summer shade 
And find the gift of peace. Your whole hfe long 
Whenever you are weary, come to us 
For soothing and refreshment. We will weave 
Soft spells above you with our leaves and boughs 
And fill your mind with pictures. 

Alicia. So you do. 

When I am in the city, many times 
I think of your great trees, and long for them. 

Lycinthia. 

Here are two little friends you know so well 
I almost think that they your playmates be. 
Can you not guess their parts ? 

Alicia. I think I can. 

Are you not the fairies of the flowers ? 

Fairies. 

Truly, we are. 



RED CAP 29 

Briar Rose. My name is Briar Rose. 

Mirabel. 

And Mirabel is mine. We are but two 
Of a large sisterhood, and many more 
Dwell in the fields and meadows down below. 
And some there are who have been banished 
To distant swamps, and secret unknown dells. 
For all their blossoms here, by human hands 
Were rifled, and they fled to mourn afar. 

Briar Rose. 

Our sister Mayflower is one of these. 
Though other fields she has, the fairies hope 
Her kingdom here will be restored to her, 
They long to see her so. Is it not strange 
To seize and so destroy the thing one loves ? 

{They glance at Nancy.) 
Alicia. 

When they do that they never really love. 
I'll help your sisters as I help the birds. 
For there is not a single flower that grows 
That is not beautiful. I love them all. 

Fungus Tod {turning a handspring). 

Toadstools and mushrooms ! Fungus is my name. 

Fungus Dod. 

Mushrooms and toadstools ! I am his brother ! 
Fungus is my name, too. {Stage whisper.) That's 
just for fun ! 

{They play leap frog, leaping once between remarks,) 

Fungus Tod. 

'Twas I gave you my cap. 

Fungus Dod. I led you here 

When you were almost lost. 

Fungus Tod. He lost you, first. 

Fungus Dod. 
We are not pretty. 

Fungus Tod. But we do our work. 



30 RED CAP 

Both. 
Perhaps they'd miss us if we went away. 

Alicia. 

I'm sure I should for one. I've always liked 
Your funny toadstools and your droll mushrooms. 
I thank you, little brothers, for to you 
I owe the happiest day in all my life. 

(The Elves bob,) 

Fairies, Dryads and Lycinthia. 

A happy, happy birthday, dear Alicia ! 

Farael, Dorian and Elves. 

And many happy birthdays after this, 

Alicia. 

You're all so kind, so kind. 

Lycinthia. Hush ! here he is. 

( They part to sides. Etiter Father Mountain and comes 
to centre of stage. All inake obeisance.') 

The spirit of the mountain cometh here. 
The father of all dryads, nymphs and elves 
And truest friend to mortal children. 

All. Hail ! 

Father Mountain. 

I greet you all ! I see that you have found 
A kindred spirit in this mortal child. 
(71? Alicia.) Alicia! 

Alicia. Father Mountain ! 

Father Mountain. Come to me ! 

{She approaches and kneels. He raises her,) 

I knew you when you were a tiny child 
Smaller than Fungus here. Your father, too, 
Clambered my rocks when he was but a boy 
As once his father and his mother did, 
A merry, thoughtful pair, searching the ledges 
For. giant blueberries in late July. 



RED CAP 31 

Three generations more I count behind, 
All ancestors of yours, and friends of mine. 
It is not strange, Alicia, if you love 
My mountain old. 

Alicia. Oh ! more than I can say ! 

Father Mountain. 

'Tis but a day to me since white men came, 
And but a span I knew the Indian. 
For I am old; I know both cold and heat ; 
Cold of the glacier, heat of primal fire. 
Lonely it was in those long ages past, 

{He takes Lycinthia's hand and draws her to his side,) 

Ere my first daughter came to dwell with me, 
But lonely now no more. (Pause.) 

Alicia ! 
This is Midsummer Day, a magic hour 
You fell upon to come among us here. 
No other time could we unseal your eyes 
And let you gaze upon us. You have seen 
What ne'er a one has seen before, save one, 
A little Indian maid, three hundred years 
Gone from our sight. Recall her, Daughter Beech. 

Dryad of Beech. 

Quequisquitch ^ was a quiet, happy child. 
Merrier than Indian children wont to be. 
She wore a gown of deerskin, soft and brown, 
With beads and fringes gay. Her forehead smooth 
Was bound with a broad band of wampum white 
And purple. She could take the shredded bark 
And kindle with her rubbing sticks a fire 
Ere a thrush sang thrice. Baskets could she weave, 
And string a bow, cook cakes of golden corn, 
Concoct a savory broth, or thread a trail. 
She was the apple of her father's eye — 
A medicine man of mighty power, he — 
The comfort of her mother, and the joy 

1 Robin. 



32 RED CAP 

Of all who heard her sing or saw her smile, 
Around the camp-fire of Souhegan's tribe. 
To her, as now to you, we give for gift 
The freedom of the mountain. 

Alicia. I will try 

To use it like that little Indian girl. 

Father Mountain. 

The gift we give you do not misconceive. 

I' the scheme of things 'tis not allowed to us 

That we appear to mortals when we will. 

Save you come here Midsummer Day by chance 

Your eyes will not behold our forms again. 

Nor will your mind remember what has been. 

For never mortal child could long endure 

Life in two worlds at once. But you'll not lose 

The power we bestow, but more and more 

Learn Nature's ways and moods, and more and more 

Take joy and comfort from her. You will teach 

Others to love her, too. (Pause.) Have you a wish? 

Alicia. 

I wish that you could magic Nancy's eyes 

So that she, too, could see ind feel such things. 

Father Mountain. 

Alas ! we cannot enter at closed doors. 
You are the one to show her, and not we. 

Briar Rose. 

Be not disheartened ! 

Mirabel. Persevere ! 

Fungus Dod. She'll learn I 

Father Mountain. 

Bring here Alicia's crown. 

(Mirabel brings wreath she and Briar Rose have been 
workifig 071. Alicia kneels. ) 

Tho' jewels rare 
And precious metals sleep within my rocks, 
'Tis not with such I crown your girlish brows. 
This wreath is but a token, for you spoke 



RED CAP 33 

And hinted at a wondrous truth but now ; 
That no possession ever can compare 
With any power of the mind or soul. 
To know, to see, to feel, to think, to love, 
A thousandfold are better than " to have." 

Alicia. t • , i. t 

I'm sure that is the truth. I wish that 1 
Knew how to speak ray love and thanks to you. 

Father Mountain. 

We understand. My children, sing a song. 
This once our music may be heard by her. 

(He places his hand on Alicia's head. She begifts to 
drowse.) 
Enter Breeze and Fire Sprite. ^vmiTS join hands, and in 
stately, graceful steps circle around Father Mountain 
and Alicia. 

Song. • •.. n 

Dryads and water nymphs, fairies and spirits all, 
Come to the council on Midsummer Day. 
Over the mountainside hasten to father dear, 
Brothers and sisters, from work and from play — 
Brothers and sisters, we gladly obey. 
Ring all the flower bells, tune the bird choruses j 
Breeze, in the branches sigh undertones deep. 
Sing to this mortal child music of fairyland. 
Sing to Alicia and lull her asleep. 

(AiACix falls sound asleep and sinks on the ground. Fairies 
pass out, humming the tune softly, leavi?ig the two girls 
and Father Mountain. After half a minute Nancv 
wakes, sits up, and rubs her eyes.') 

Nancy. After all, it's rather a lark to come up here on the 
mountain. I wouldn't mind staying and sleeping here to-night 
if we had the things. The sunrise would be awfully jolly. 
Somehow it makes town look pretty flat and dirty. I guess 1 
will stay another week. There's something in getting used to 
a place. I can't live up to Alicia's ways, but she isnt stupid ; 
I'll say that for her. (Finds flowers in j//-/«^.) These are 
nice and fresh to take home, no thanks to me. There s that 



34 



RED CAP 



bird still on the nest. She's a brave little thing. I admire her 
grit. I wonder if I hadn't better wake Alicia. {Gives Alicia 
several gejitle pokes.) Alicia! Don't you think we'd better 
be scrambling ? 

Alicia. Yes, Nancy, I suppose so. I must have been 
asleep. 

Nancy. I had a nap, too. 

Alicia. Thank you for this pretty wreath, Nancy. 

Nancy. I don't remember making it, Alicia. I must have 
done it in ray sleep. 

Alicia. Are you ready ? 

Nancy {lingering ). Ye-es. Do you know, I believe I like 
it up here after all. I almost hate to go down. I don't seem 
to have that alone feeling any more. And I like the trees and 
things. 

Alicia {skipping about). I'm glad ! I'm glad ! If you 
feel that way we can come again and I can show you ever so 
many things — all my loveliest secrets ; birds' nests and flowers 
and hollow trees. Only you must never do the least bit of harm 
to any of them. 

Nancy. I promise. I wish now that I hadn't cut my ini- 
tials on that birch tree. How silly they look ! Can't I do any- 
thing to hide the place ? 

Alicia. I'm afraid not. 

Nancy. It'll grow over again and be all right, won't it? 

Alicia. No, never ! But I think Lady Birch will forgive 
you if you never do it again. 

Nancy {impulsively stretching out her arms to the birch tree). 
Forgive me, Lady Birch. 

Dryad of Birch {from behind). Forgiven, dear ! 

Nancy {turning to nest). Forgive me, mother bird ! 

Farael {fro?n behind). She does forgive. 

Nancy. Forgive me, pretty flowers, for picking you and 
throwing you away. 

Briar Rose {from grass at r.) We do ! 

Mirabel {from grass at l.). We do ! 

Alicia. I think we'd better go now. 

Nancy. All right ! I'm coming. 

Alicia {looking back). I'm going to come here again next 
year for my birthday. 

{A soft clapping of many hands from behind the scenes. 
Father Mountain smiles and extends his hands in bene- 



RED CAP 



35 



diction. The girls take hattds and run offy skipping and 
waviftg their baskets. Father Mountain follows slowly. ) 

{If the play is given indoors, or with a curtain outdoors , 
before the close all the non-huma7i characters may reenter 
aiid dance around Father Mountain, who stands at c. 
Each should dance in accordance with his or her charac- 
ter ; the Dryads, Farael, and Dorian with dignity ; 
Breeze aiid Fire Sprite madly ; Fairies merrily, arid 
Elves turning somersaults and play i?ig leapfrog.^ 



CURTAIN 



B. lU* Pincro's Plays 

Price, 50 Kecite each 



IIAin m A 1\IM17I ^^^^ ^" ^°^'' Acts. Six males, five females. 
IVllU-vnAlll^Eilj Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. 
Plays two and a half hours. 

THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH Sr^ %^,T. 

males, five females. Costumes, modern^ scenery, all interiors. 
Plays a full evening. 

mDDniTT JP ATI? Pl^y ^^ Four Acts. Seven males, five 
r IvUr LiviA 1 El females. Scenery, three interiors, rather 
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mC/^Orkni MICTDFQC Farce in Three Acts. Ninemales, 
OLnUULluliJ 1 I\ILi3iJ seven females. Costumes, mod- 
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THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY ISt'"IaS,^J?e 

females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a 
full evening. 

ClirrrT T A\7CKinrD Comedyln Three Acts. Seven males, 
OVVEiEil LAYtillULIV four females. Scene, a single interior, 
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mTUITMnEDDniT Comedy in Four Acts. Ten males, 
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mTIMrC Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. 
I liYIEid Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. PJays 
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Tur Xirr a VED CEY Comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, 
IHt WtAKLK OLA eight females. Costumes, modern; 
scenery, two interiors. Plays a full evening. 

A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE ^?vT^7aiS,fou^Temi;:i: 

Costumes, modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evemng. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttv H. pafeer & Companp 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESI 




017 400 735 4 f 

C!)e Willmm 5^arrcn CDttton 
of Paps 



A^ TOII I IITP IT Comedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four 
A^ lUU MAI4 *» females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, va- 
ried. Plays a full evening. 

rAMIT T F I^rama in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Cos- 
vAUllLflyCf tumes, modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. 

INAOMAV ^^y ^^ ^^® Acts. Thirteen males, three females. 
liiUvJll/U\ Scenery varied ; costumes, Greek. Plays a full evening. 

MAW ^TFIAKT Tragedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
IuAI\l ^lUAnl males, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the 
period ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE S,X%'re!?eml?^l: c7£^S. 

picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. 

RICHFT FFII ^^*y ^° ^^^^ Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Scen- 



erening. 



ery elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays a full 



THP filVAT ^ Comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 
IlJLLf Ml ALtD Scenery varied; costumes of the period. Plays a 
full evening. 

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER SiT,lf U? flJ^fief Ice^rvi^ 

ried ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. 

TWELFTH NIGHT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL ']^Z%^JL', 

three females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a 
fall evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Salter i^. QBafter & Compant 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 

6. J. PARKHILL Si CO., PRINTERS. BOSTON, U.S.A. 



